Coventry Utd trio sign for Hinckley AFC

HINCKLEY AFC have signed midfielders Liam Cairns and Joe Cairns and right back Harry Sawyer from Coventry United.

Liam Cairns joins having played 27 times for the Red and Greens in the United Counties Premier South this term, helping guide them to fifth in the table.

The combative midfielder has also captained them on 22 of those occasions, and adds leadership qualities to the Hinckley side as well as considerable step five experience.

Manager Courtney Belford called Cairns a “fantastic addition”.

He said: “We’ve tried to bring him in a couple of times but just couldn’t get it done. He’s now become available and we were keen to get it over the line.

“He improves us. He’s a winner with lots of experience, he’s played a lot of football at step five and he’s a massive signing for us.”

Right back Sawyer has played 33 times for the Red and Greens at step five and nearly 90 times overall.

He contributed two goals in that time, both in the same game against Desborough earlier this season, and won their Supporters’ Player of the Year in 2019/20.

He worked with assistant manager Joe Conneely at Rugby Borough as an 18-year-old, earning his move to the Butts Park Arena from there.

Manager Courtney Belford said: “Harry’s a very technically gifted right back who can also play in midfield.

“He’s very quick and athletic going forward, and a good defender as well with similar attributes to Drew Kear.

“With Drew’s injury sounding like it’s a bad one, we couldn’t turn down a player of Harry’s quality.

“He’s another fantastic signing and another that the fans will enjoy watching. He wears his heart on his sleeve.”

Joe Cairns, the cousin of Liam, is a 22-year-old midfielder who has spent the last three-and-a-half seasons at United, playing more than 100 times.

He has been a crucial part of their side at step five this season, scoring 11 times in 31 games in the United Counties Premier South.